New code for downtown discussed

SPRINGDALE — The Planning Commission gathered Tuesday for a work session to discuss the first draft of a code to shape the look of downtown.

The session began at 5:30 p.m. in the City Administration Building and focused on discussing the draft of the code to replace the city’s development code for downtown building and amending the draft if necessary.

“This will establish a whole new code section for the downtown district, and it replaces any of the zoning requirements for the downtown area,” said Patsy Christie, planning and community development director, before the session.

The “form- based” code will give the city a more cohesive plan on how to redevelop downtown, said Kevin Parsley, commission chairman.

Form-based code is “designed to foster a setting for economic growth and development in a sustainable mixed use pattern integrating residential with employment and commercial uses as well as civic and recreational opportunities,” according to the draft.

“We already see what’s happening downtown and this is the last piece of the puzzle we need to put together,” Parsley said. “The details are going to shape the downtown for many, many years, so it’s really important that we get this right.”

The area impacted by the new code includes all homes, businesses, and municipal buildings between Huntsville and Caudle avenues, and Thompson Street and Old Missouri Road, Reeves said.

The code focuses on the aesthetics and structure of buildings being built in the downtown area, said Melissa Reeves, the public relations director.

As Christie explained the code to commissioners and City Council members, she said existing structures wouldn’t be forced to change.

“If we take the position that everything there right now has to brought into compliance, the market will back off,” Christie said.

Misty Murphy, executive director of the Downtown Springdale Alliance, attended the session and said changes to structures need to comply with the new code.

Unlike the city’s current code, the new one would require new buildings along Emma Avenue to be a minimum of two- stories tall, Christie said.

Murphy spoke in favor of the requirement on new Emma buildings.

“We’ve seen some project plans from developers and what we’ve seen are all two- story plans,” Murphy said. “The market is dictating multi-story buildings.”

The code is a different way to look at how development occurs, Christie said.

“It is not based specifically on uses of the structure, but how the structure relates to the streetscape and development around it,” she said.

“With the revitalization of the downtown and looking at how we can revitalize it, we looked at a different approach,” Christie said. “It’s an approach that’s pretty common in downtown districts around the country.”

The commission will have another code work session March 6 and hold a public hearing March 7. The commission will vote after the public hearing on whether or not to pass the code to City Council for approval at the March 21 council meeting.